Two families whose homes were devastated by a landslide caused by ongoing coastal erosion on Monday have moved into the Cedros Community Centre, as heavy rains continued to erode parts of Bamboo Village in Cedros yesterday.
The rains caused chunks of land to fall away and cascade down the hillside, which now measures about 1,000 feet, but the shells of the houses remained on the brink of the collapse.
Resident Charmion Gunness, whose home was destroyed by the event, yesterday said since the calamity she has not slept.
“Every time I close my eyes I hear the crash of the house falling down,” Gunness said.
She added that volunteers have been providing hot meals in the community centre, but at nightfall she goes to a relative’s home to sleep.
“I can’t make to sleep in the community centre. This is so sad. I miss my home and I hope we can find a place to build back our home,” Gunness said.
Councillor Shankar Teelucksingh said some of the affected families yesterday spent most of the day in Point Fortin, waiting to fill out forms hoping to get temporary housing at the Housing Development Corporation Lake View settlement in Point Fortin. While a few have opted to move, others had to be convinced that the spot they once considered home would soon be lost to the sea.
Teelucksingh also called on the State Lands Department to speed up the process of providing lands so the residents could rebuild their lives.
On Monday, residents witnessed the horrific collapse of Gunness’ house and the partial collapse of another down the precipice. Luckily, no one was hurt.
Meanwhile, Office of Disaster Preparedness and Management head Captain Neville Wint said security personnel continued to impose a 300-foot restriction in the disaster zone because of the soil instability. Asked whether remedial work could be done, Wint said this would be a costly exercise. He said geologists and technical planning teams from the Ministry of Works, Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development and the Ministry of Planning had already started a study on the coastal erosion.
“A multi-agency approach is needed and we have to get the experts in geological, marine and planning to address this. The various ministries have deployed teams and the assessment has started,” Wint said.
He added that artificial reefs and rock armour could be used to stem the erosion. Rock armour is rock or other material used to armour shorelines and prevent erosion. It also prevents the movement of beach material along the coast by long-shore drift and gradually allows the build-up of a beach, a natural defence against erosion.
Wint also urged people to refrain from visiting the area because of the coastal instability.
“We are experiencing the signs of climate change and global warming, so our understanding of the coastal hazards is critical,” Wint said.
Geologist Xavier Moonan said a team will be visiting the site today and a proper assessment will be made following the visit.
Since the landslip, residents have been rallying around the affected families. Volunteers have been providing clothing while the ODPM’s Trauma Unit has offered counselling.